Wednesday and Thursday
a part of the KCSWCD website
page updated 09/21/2011
The 2011 MFDays at Misty Meadows in Clinton.
This year's Maine Farm Days had a successful return to Misty Meadows Farm. See the article below for a review. Changes are already being considered to make the event even more interesting next year.
For those of you who use Facebook, you may want to follow the news about the 2011 event through that system of communications.
2011 Maine Farm Days Hosted Again at Misty Meadows Farm by Chad Arms
The rainy weather held off until the early afternoon of the last day for activities at 2011 Maine Farm Days held at Misty Meadows Farm in Clinton August 24-25. The two day exhibition on a former Maine Dairy Farm of the Year was hosted for the third time by John and Belinda Stoughton showcasing the latest in technology and conservation practices on a modern 550 cow farm. The exhibition featured farm tours, agribusiness exhibits, a Children’s Learning Center, and much more.
One could visit the many educational and agribusiness exhibitors offering timely tips on their equipment, products, production practices, or available expertise. Children could pet animals and be entertained at the Children’s Learning Center including getting prizes for the milking contest at noon time. The popular Conservation Wagon Tour gave a relaxing time to witness the double 12 herringbone milking parlor and barn facilities as well as the conservation ditches and crops. One could also pick up pesticide recertification credits by attending the many choices for one hour presentations. Then there were food concessions and a host of other activities taking place. Farm Days is a great place for picking up new ideas and practices, visit friends and neighbors, and show off agriculture to the public.
Results of the winners of the Forage Contest for hay and silage samples were announced. There were 116 total entrants with cash prizes from Altech Silage Innoculant for first and second prize winners as follows: Chopped Haylage – 1st, Aghaloma Dairy and 2nd Jeff Stevens; Corn Silage – 1st Hilton Farm and 2nd Aghaloma Dairy; Baleage – 1st Carole Robins and 2nd Conant Acres; and Dry Hay – 1st Jim Davis and 2nd Waterman Farm. The revolving overall Grand Champion Trophy went to Aghaloma Farm. Third place winners received ribbons.
This was the 42nd year for Maine Farm Days. The chief sponsor is Farm Days Inc. John Stoughton, Clinton, is president and his wife Belinda serves as treasurer. Spencer Greatorex, Winslow, is vice president and Ben Blackwell, Madison, is secretary. Publicity was primarily handled through Dale Finseth of the Kennebec County Soil and Water Conservation District. Were it not for the many volunteers, host family, and cooperating dealers and agencies, this leading exhibition on a working dairy farm would not be possible. Next year’s event will likely be hosted again at Misty Meadows Farm.
NRCS
staff members Amanda Burton and Ken Blazej stand with Oakhurst Dairy’s “Oakie”
at Maine Farm Days.
Here are examples of some of the big pieces of farm equipment on display in 2011.
Start making your plans for next year.
The event includes activities for both farmers and non-farmers alike. Including a range of agribusiness exhibits’, equipment dealers, wagon tours, children’s learning center, craft tent, farmers market and educational speakers and presentations. It is an extravaganza of animals, farm information, interesting people, equipment, food and entertaining displays.
More information check this website in the coming months or 'friend' Maine Farm Days on facebook.
The Maine Farm Days committee spends hours planning this event.
The days before and during the MFDays event mean hundreds of additional volunteer hours devoted to the exhibition.
For more information on the 2011 Maine Farm Days contact:
Dale Finseth
Kennebec County SWCD
21 Enterprise Dr. Suite #1
Augusta, ME 04330
207-622-7847 ext. 3
or e-mail at Dale@kcswcd.org
or
Ben Blackwell
959 Preble Ave.
Madison, ME 04950
314-0879
folks have visited this page